Thanks for the info! I will definatly look into that.

 

Bizzie you should be able to run 33" 285/70R17 stock, and a 3" body lift with minor trimming run 305 or 315 tires depending on rims.. / 99stepside, unless you have a torsion key puller its best to let a shop install it, there under a little pressure, readylift makes a good kit the local 4x4 shop wanted $350.00 to install the level kit...I opted to get a kit and do it myself..
heres a few more pic after I installed the kit..


Be sure and get a good alignment,It dont take much adjment with the new keys to give good lift, watch your CV boot angles, which is the reason a suspension lift drops the whole front 4x4 IFS which changes the drive shaft angle, with this its all put on the front cv axles, I spoke to 4 4x4 shops and they did,nt know anyone haveing probs with the level kits if installed correctly..
stock truck

after 2" key kit

2" key level lift with 3" body lift and 35" tires, Big transformation

 

Thanks liquid.... I'm gonna look into what's best for me.... I really want my truck to not just be another F150 on the road.... I saw an F250 on 41's in Florida a few weeks ago.... it's a bit much for me, but 35's I know I can do..... I know now that I prolly won't be happy with just a level kit and 33's
I'll have to do more than that.... but first I think I'm gonna get my truck a tune-up, intake, brakes, and possibly an exhaust system.... but lifting it is definitely on the plans for the very near future....

 

It would,nt let me look at pic..I would reccomend the 3" body and then save up and get the 6" suspension lift which is what I plan to do years from now, for now Im very happy..AS for more power, Im not sure which motor you have..with the 5.4L my 1715 micromaxx superchip tuner running the performance 93 octane tune with the K&N single catback exhaust, K&N fipk genII with heat shield and 3.55LS stock diffs totes the 35" on down the road great setup, I stomped it this morning turning right and bout did a loopie, she spun and wiggled for over 20' then caught and went..I love it..A tuner is worth the $$$..get a good exhaust and some dont like the aftermarket air intakes..But with all three it works well for me..Ive only got 76,000mls on my 2001, But now It feels like a new truck and I cant stay outa it, or keep my foot from getting heavy..my wife tells me I need to grow up..
louiville ky is beautiful along the river walk I love that place, I did,nt want to leave

 

haha, yeah Louisville is great, if you can put up with it being 85 one day and snowing the next... like we had this week. But as for the system you describedm I like the ideas. I have the 5.4 in mine and can't wait to get more power out of it. I have 126,000 on my 2001, but it still runs great and I got it for a steal last summer. I just have to put a little money in it and try to change it from just another F150. Also, I want to hard-wire a power inverter in for tailgating and camping..... it makes a great place to hang out and drink too Thanks...

 

Thanks for thye advise liquid. Just getting into the IFS thing, I had a 79 Bronco back in the day, and installed a 6"lift in it. Much easier with the straight axle, for sure. I have had my 99 stepside for 2 years and I'm dieing to change it up a little. 1400 bucks is pretty steep for me right now. I was told to check out this sight for advise. Again I love the stance of your truck, so I think I will look at leveling kits with a 3 "body lift. Total Performance has the torsion leveling keys for 80 bucks. is that all there is to that kit? You mentioned the rear blocks, did you purchase them seperate?

 

No I got it as a whole kit, they have an ebay sight, I got mine from $170.00 for the rear hanger leaf bolts, 2"blocks and keys, just follow the instructions and be sure to torque and retorque after a few runs, Its a solid kit, his sight was down so I would call him, there a shop that installs the kits and lift packages, I;ll try to find a link to the ebay sight for ya, and you;ll like the 3" body kit you get whopping results for the money and the extra 2" looks great, I pulled up beside a chevy at the local hardware that had a 6" fabtech and my truck was higher and looked better I know it ticked him off..the thing that most suspension lifts is the lower a arm sits low to the ground so you loose ground clearence but your able to install bigger tires to make up for it.., with my setup I,m still within factory specs and have massive front ground clearence..the truck will off road like a dream, Ive got a set of chrome harley davidson hooks ordered for my new tow hooks, its going to look sweeet, they mount inside the frame, with the 3" body when you raise the front bumper the frame will show, But I have a plan to meke it look factory.. goto ebay motors and put in this item# this is the kit I got..
120089764274

Bizzie.. I whish I;de gotten mine for a steal, bought in new in nov 2000 for a whopping amount from a dealer, still a good deal, I shopped aroundI liked the color and package, yes I spent 4 weeks working in KY I loved it but spent $600.00 dollers the first night on warm clothing just to stay warm..Burr it was winter, on a lighter note I spent another week in the summer up in elizebethtown KY and luisville KY, the folks I work for has a manufactureing plant in ETOWN, I like it there..the next time I visit I want to ride the ohio river from the board walk..I had a blast in a country bar in down town louisville great place to be...and see..

 

Just my opinion but you really need to go in the direction with your truck on how you use it. I read all kinds of posts about suspension lift versus body lift/leveling kit and it all really boils down to usage. People say you wont be happy unless you get at least a 6" lift but no one ever realizes the reason they make all these different types of lifts. If your a hardcore offroader a good suspension lift with tires somewhere over 37" to get plenty of clearance is great. If your more street bound with light offroading then there's nothing wrong with the leveling kit and a body lift professionally installed(which is about 1000 bucks) to clear 35's easy. I grew up in so cal and in my days we lifted everything high but half of us never went anywhere but the highway. I have gone the route of leveling kit with a 3" body lift and I love the height with 35's. Not to big but just enough to get you noticed and plenty of money left over for toys and with the money I saved on the lift I put volant cold air intake, magnaflow exhaust and pro comp rims/tires! (but thats just me)

 

Txfx4onr, Im with ya , sounds like a good looking rig, can you post a few pic, I see your in texas, my wife is from texas and theres alot of good looking lifted trucks floating around..there..

 

I would wait and save to get 35's or 37's and lift it. I just bought 33's two months ago and pretty much regret it. I want to lift my truck too, but with a 6" lift with 33's looks weird. I can do a 3" body lift or a 4" suspension, but in the long run, I will always want BIGGER. just wait!!!

 

Thanks guys for all the advise. I will let you know about my adventure as soon as I buy the stuff. A buddy of mine is a mechanic by trade and has all the nessasary tools for the install, with his help it shouldn't be too bad. I have an 87 Mustang thats been modded up with goodies, and for the most part I've done all the work myself. The truck will be new terratory which I look forward to doing.Would love to post a pic of my truck, but I can't attach a pic. I will look into a gallery set up.

 

They are the same the ford dealer put on the trucks. I think the offset is +30.

 

i agree if i was you i would go with the 6 inch susp. lift and 35's route..you will regret it in the end not doing it...as i did myself.